Music Leadership and Artistic Direction, Master's Degree
Lead artistic projects. Shape creative futures. Develop your professional practice through leadership, innovation and research.
Studies
Music Leadership and Artistic Direction is an international master’s degree designed for experienced music and creative industry professionals who want to expand their expertise in artistic leadership, project development and practice-based research. The programme combines artistic practice, leadership, project management and research-based development. During the studies, students design, develop, implement and evaluate a substantial creative project that forms the foundation for a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis.
Whether your professional profile is that of a musician, composer, producer, artistic director, conductor, music educator, creative entrepreneur or cultural leader, the programme provides tools for leading artistic processes, developing new practices and creating meaningful impact through music and the arts.
Information Sessions on Zoom
Ask the Head of Programme, Mr. Jukka Väisänen, directly about studying in the Music Leadership and Artistic Direction Master´s Degree and about the application process. Please, join through the zoom link down below. We look forward to welcoming you!
Date: 12 January 2027
1st session at 9.00-9.45 AM (UTC / GMT 7:00 AM)
Participants from Finland to Asia
Zoom link here
2nd session at 5.00-5.45 PM (UTC /GMT 3:00 PM)
Participants from Finland to USA
Zoom link here
What does completing the degree involve in practice?
Further information about the practical arrangements required for study will be available on this page in December 2026.
What You Will Learn
You will develop advanced competencies in artistic leadership, creative project development and research-informed professional practice.
Key areas of study include:
- Artistic leadership and creative process management
- Practice-based and development-oriented research
- Creative project design and implementation
- Multidisciplinary artistic collaboration
- Reflection, evaluation and professional development
- Documentation, analysis and Master’s thesis development
Through coursework, workshops and project-based learning, you will build a personal artistic development project that serves as the foundation for your Master’s thesis.
The programme consists of the following study modules:
- Study Planning and Digital Competence
- Development-Based Research and Master’s Thesis Development
- Creative Practice, Leadership and Project Development
- Creative Practice Lab
- Creative Practice Implementation
- Creative Practice Reflection and Thesis Seminar
- Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
Artistic Leadership in Practice
Leadership in the programme is understood as the ability to initiate, facilitate and guide creative processes.
Students explore leadership through artistic practice, collaboration and project work. Leadership may involve directing ensembles, leading artistic productions, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, developing new creative concepts or facilitating collaborative working processes.
The programme encourages students to develop their own leadership identity and to critically examine leadership within contemporary artistic and cultural contexts.
Creative and Project-Based Learning
The studies are strongly practice-oriented.
Students develop an individual artistic or creative project throughout the programme. The project may take many forms, including:
- Concert productions
- Artistic performances
- Music productions
- Compositions and creative works
- Community and participatory arts projects
- Interdisciplinary productions
- Cultural and creative industry development projects
The project functions as both a professional development process and a source of data and reflection for the Master’s thesis.
Practice-Based Research
The programme applies practice-based and development-oriented research approaches commonly used in creative fields.
Students learn to:
- Identify development needs within their professional practice
- Formulate research and development questions
- Collect and document project-based material
- Apply reflective and analytical methods
- Connect professional practice with existing research and theory
- Produce a Master’s thesis grounded in authentic professional development
The aim is to strengthen students’ ability to generate new knowledge through artistic and professional practice.
Why Study in Finland?
Finland is internationally recognised for its high-quality education system, innovative learning culture and vibrant creative sector.
Studying at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences offers:
- An international learning environment
- Strong connections to working life and professional networks
- A student-centred learning culture
- Opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration
- Access to Helsinki’s dynamic music and cultural ecosystem
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for advanced professional and leadership roles across music, arts and creative industries.
Possible career paths include:
- Artistic Director
- Music Director
- Creative Producer
- Project Manager
- Ensemble Leader
- Conductor
- Composer and Creative Artist
- Music Entrepreneur
- Cultural Manager
- Development Specialist in Arts and Culture
- Higher Education and Professional Training Specialist
The programme also provides a strong foundation for research-informed development work within creative organisations and institutions.
Who Is This For?
The programme is intended for professionals who wish to deepen their artistic expertise while strengthening their leadership, development and research competencies.
Applicants typically have backgrounds in:
- Music Performance
- Composition
- Music Production
- Conducting
- Music Education
- Arts Management
- Cultural Production
- Creative Industries
To apply, you will need:
- A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education qualification
- Relevant professional experience
- Motivation to develop your professional practice through artistic leadership and research-based development
Study Structure
The programme follows a developmental learning process:
Orientation and Academic Foundations
Students become familiar with the programme structure, digital learning environments and study planning practices.
Research and Thesis Development
Students identify a development challenge, formulate research questions and begin the thesis process.
Creative Practice, Leadership and Project Development
Students develop project concepts, artistic visions and leadership approaches while exploring multidisciplinary creative practices.
Creative Practice Lab
Students test, prototype and refine artistic ideas through experimentation, collaboration and reflection.
Creative Practice Implementation
Students realise and lead their artistic projects in professional contexts.
Creative Practice Reflection and Thesis Seminar
Students evaluate project outcomes, analyse collected material and prepare for thesis writing.
Master’s Thesis
Students complete a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis based on their development project and research process.
Bring Your Own Laptop
The programme follows a Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) principle. Students are expected to use their own laptops throughout the studies to support flexible working, digital collaboration and project-based learning.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee 12 500 € for new non-EU/EEA degree students.
Ask Head of Programme More About Studies
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Applying
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2027
- Culture
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2027 Joint Application 1 to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2027. The application period starts on the 7 January 2027 at 8 am and ends on the 21 January 2027 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).
All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.
Application fee
Applicants who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to apply to higher education studies. The application fee of 100 euros is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.
The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies. The application fee is not refunded if you cancel your application or are not offered admission.
More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)The One Study Right Rule
The One Study Right Rule refers to legislative amendments entered into force on 1 August 2026. Under these amendments, a student’s study rights at the same or lower level will be terminated if they accept a new study right leading to a degree. The rule applies only to study rights at Finnish higher education institutions.
In order to be considered for the student selection, you must fill in the joint application form at Studyinfo.fi during the application period 7 January - 21 January 2027. The pre-assignment must be submitted as an attachment to the electronic joint application form during the application period, by 21 January 2027 3:00 p.m. the latest (local time in Finland).
Pre-assignments for spring 2027 Joint Application 1 will be published by the beginning of the application period.In order to be considered for student selection, you must pass the degree programme's own entrance examination as described in Studyinfo.fi. Entrance exam invitations are sent approximately one week before the entrance exam by email to the email address provided by the applicant on the application form.
Useful links
More information on the application process
Tel. +358 9 7424 5902, Mon-Wed 10 am – 12 pm
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Starting studies
First, read guidelines common to all Metropolia degree students and then degree specific instruction below.
How to start Music Leadership and Artistic Direction studies?
Welcome to study Music Leadership and Artistic Direction at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
The programme begins with an orientation period introducing students to the curriculum, learning environment, study practices and professional community.
Participation in orientation is an essential part of starting the studies.
Orientation
During orientation, students will become familiar with:
- Curriculum and programme structure
- Progression of studies
- Learning environments and digital platforms
- Personal study planning
- Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
- Student support services
- Networking and community building
Students will also meet programme staff and fellow students.
Study Guidance and Planning
Studying at Master’s level requires goal-oriented planning and active engagement.
Students receive support from programme staff and teacher tutors throughout their studies. Individual study planning and professional development are integrated into the programme from the beginning.
Timetable
Detailed schedules and course-specific information will be provided before the beginning of studies.
Summer Assignment
Before the studies begin, students are encouraged to identify a potential development challenge, artistic project or professional area of interest that could serve as the basis for their Master’s thesis.
Students prepare a brief concept paper describing:
- A possible project idea
- Professional relevance
- Development needs or challenges
- Potential research perspective
- Initial thoughts about implementation
The purpose of the assignment is to support a smooth start to both the artistic project and the thesis process.
Contact Information
Jukka Väisänen
+358 40 3340351
Head of Degree Programme
jukka.vaisanen [at] metropolia.fi (jukka[dot]vaisanen[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Susanna Mesiä
Senior Lecturer
susanna.mesia [at] metropolia.fi (susanna[dot]mesia[at]metropolia[dot]fi)